Because there are some things (lookin' at you, freshman 15!) that just aren't true.

With a whopping 25.2 million undergrads at 7,416 colleges across the country, it's impossible to find two people who have the exact same stories about school. But that doesn't stop the (often contradictory) rumors from flying—college is a constant party; you'll spend all your time in the library. Professors are eager to connect with students; huge class sizes make teachers completely inaccessible.

So wait. Hold the phone. What's true and what's not?! We talked to the experts—current students, recent grads, and college administrators—to find out.

Myth #1: Beware the Freshman 15.

Good news: A recent meta-analysis of recent studies, published in the American Journal of College Health, found that the average reported freshman weight gain was around four pounds—not nearly as scary as the 15 you often hear. But to help keep increasing numbers at bay, enjoy the healthy parts of living at college. School-sponsored gym memberships are usually inexpensive (if not already included in your student fees), and if you live on campus, you'll probably be able to walk wherever you need to go. Other school activities, like charity runs and intramural sports, are also great ways to keep fit while having fun with dorm mates or sorority sisters.

Myth #2: Dining hall food is terrible—unless you're willing to live on pasta.

Bowdoin may boast two acres of gardens for produce and herbs, but going local with food is a national trend. During her visits to campuses across the country, Kennedy has found that "the meal options are really good, because I think a lot of the schools are trying to use more fresh products."

Myth #3: It's really hard to connect with professors.

As one of many in a first-year lecture, it can be intimidating to reach out to the professor standing at the front of the room—but that doesn't mean it's impossible. There are a few ways to make it easier, says University of Southern California '13 grad Helen Tobin: "Just talk to them for a minute after class. Ask for further clarification on something they said during lecture, even if you understood him or her perfectly the first time."

A minute of after-class chatting or a visit to office hours goes a long way, says Helen, who points out that good professors welcome student face time. "These small acts build a personal connection that you can call on later for a recommendation letter," she notes. "You're not going to connect with every professor, but it's important to have people who will advocate for you later in school and even beyond college."

Myth #4: Greek life is an endless toga party.

The party scene differs from college to college, but fraternities and sororities are built on other key pillars, like philanthropy and academics, which play a starring role for sisters. "There's a huge philanthropy focus within each house and in the Greek community as a whole," says Grace Hawkins, a University of Michigan '13 grad and Delta Gamma.

And it's a good thing: "We can really make a difference," Grace says. "My sorority has raised thousands of dollars for Service for Sight, and we also get involved on a hands-on scale, working with visually impaired children."

Studies are divided on how sorority involvement impacts GPA compared to girls who are unaffiliated, but most sororities have academic standards to meet. Plus, there will always be a few girls around to study with!

Myth #5: In order to get good grades, you'll have to live in the library.

When it comes to college, balance and moderation are key—and that's what school life was designed for. "You can't get off-the-charts grades or have a legendary social life without it taking a toll on other parts of your experience," says Julia Haskins, a senior at Northwestern University. "You have to slow down every once in a while. Movies tend to show the hardcore partier or the nerd who studies all the time, but we're all a little bit of both at any moment."

Myth #6: No one's taking attendance in your 8 a.m. stats class.

So you had a Thursday night mir, or stayed up re-living the first two seasons of Gossip Girl with your roommate. No one's going to drag you out of bed the next morning, but you still need to show up to class—even if you're clutching a venti quadruple-shot latte. Sure, some professors play it cool and don't take roll, but for the most part, attendance does matter in many freshman-level seminars, and it can be a big factor in your grade. Need a little extra motivation? Calculate how much each lecture costs. Now that's a wake-up call.

Busted any college myths of your own? Or heard any in the high school halls you want to vett? Tell us below in the comments—we're listening!